Taxidermy Guides
7 Picks of Best Turkey Taxidermy: Stylish Home Statement
Are you looking for a unique home statement that will fill your living space with intrigue and style? Taxidermy is an art form that has been around for centuries and has recently become popular again. Turkey taxidermy can add an interesting and artistic touch to any home. Here are 7 of our favorite picks for the best turkey taxidermy out there, perfect for adding a stylish statement to your home.
How We Select These Products
You want to decorate your home with a beautiful, unique, and memorable piece of art.
You don’t have the time or skills to create one yourself.
We have done the hard work and research for you and picked the 7 best turkey taxidermy which is great for home decoration. This blog will help you in making an informed decision.
Walnut Hollow Turkey Taxidermy Made With Solid Oak
Walnut Hollow is a leader in the taxidermy industry, and their turkey taxidermy mounts are no exception. Their mount is painstakingly crafted with solid oak to ensure that it won’t just look good now but will continue to look great for years to come.
The benefits of using solid oak in this type of product are numerous. Solid oak has a beautiful grain pattern that adds visual interest and beauty, as well as being naturally durable and resistant to decay. Its strength also makes it an excellent choice for mounting heavy objects like turkeys!
Additionally, solid oak is easy to maintain with regular cleaning and waxing; its natural oils help protect it from water damage and scratches. With Walnut Hollow’s turkey taxidermy, you can rest assured knowing you’re getting a quality product made with the best materials available.
The Walnut Hollow turkey taxidermy is the perfect way to celebrate any holiday or special occasion. These decorative pieces are crafted with great attention to detail and accuracy, making them a beautiful addition to any room. From Eastern and Osceola turkeys to the Rio Grande, Merriam’s, and Gould’s turkeys, this taxidermy will bring the outdoors into your home.
This taxidermy will give any space a classic look that honors nature in all its beauty. With its lifelike features, it’s easy to see why people enjoy having these pieces as decoration in their homes. You can hang it on a wall or place it on top of furniture for an eye-catching focal point. The Walnut Hollow turkey taxidermy is made from high-quality materials that are sure to last for years!
Mountain Mike’s Turkey Taxidermy Made of Solid Pine Wood
Mountain Mike’s Turkey Taxidermy provides beautiful pieces of artwork to accent any home. The taxidermy is made from solid pine wood and creates a truly unique piece that stands out in any room. Solid pine wood has several advantages and benefits when used for decoration.
Solid pine wood is known for its durable nature and stability, which makes it ideal for this type of artwork. Its natural appearance adds a rustic touch to the decor while maintaining a modern look that can fit in with many styles. It also has antimicrobial properties which help protect against bacteria, mold, and mildew growth – especially important if you have pets or small children in your home.
Mountain Mike’s turkey taxidermy for decoration provides a unique way to display your prized beards. The innovative design features a shotgun shell, metal-plated beard holders, and hooks, allowing you to hang up to five beards in an attractive manner. Whether used as a conversation piece or simply for decoration, this product is sure to add character and charm to any space.
The shotgun shell provides the perfect backdrop for displaying your trophies. It gives each trophy additional character and highlights their individual beauty. The metal-plated beard holders are attached firmly to the shotgun shell and provide added durability when hung up on the wall or mounted on a shelf. They securely hold each beard in place while adding an extra touch of rustic style to your room decor.
Taxidermists Turkey Taxidermy Made from 3/4 Thick Solid Wood
Taxidermists turkey taxidermy for decoration has become an increasingly popular trend in home décor. Not only is it a great way to bring nature inside and show off your appreciation of the outdoors, but taxidermy also provides many benefits over traditional wall decorations. One of the most impressive benefits of taxidermists’ Turkey taxidermy is that it is made from 3/4″ thick solid wood – making it both more durable and visually more appealing than other forms of wall art.
This type of solid wood construction makes the piece highly resistant to scratches and dents, ensuring that your investment will last for years to come. Solid wood also provides superior color depth when compared with thin veneers or laminated materials – creating a stunning visual appearance that adds dimension to any room.
Taxidermy is becoming increasingly popular for hunters, hobbyists, and collectors alike. Taxidermists turkey taxidermy has recently made a name for itself in the taxidermy world as a standout product. This turkey taxidermy item offers many benefits over other products on the market, including its beautiful satin finish that creates an eye-catching display piece. In addition to its aesthetic beauty, this product also features easy-to-follow instructions to make setup and installation simple and straightforward.
The quality of the satin finish makes this turkey taxidermy look more realistic than ever before. Its lifelike quality can create an awe-inspiring effect in any room it adorns with its vibrant colors and impressive detail. The attention to detail found in these sculptures is truly remarkable giving each one unique character throughout their design elements.
Beistle Turkey Taxidermy For Thanksgiving Party Decoration
Beistle turkey taxidermy is a unique way to make an impression on guests and create a festive atmosphere. Not only does it look great, but there are many benefits of using Beistle Turkey Taxidermy as a party decoration.
Beistle turkey taxidermy is made with high-quality materials and craftsmanship so it will last for years to come. It’s also very lightweight and easy to set up, making it perfect for any size gathering or event. Plus, the taxidermied turkey creates an eye-catching centerpiece that will be talked about throughout the night! Its realistic details bring life into any room while adding an element of fun to the festivities.
Beistle turkey taxidermy is a unique way to bring the beauty of nature into your home. This special item stands 12 inches tall and is crafted with a 3-D honeycomb tissue tail that adds an extra layer of realism and detail. The benefits of having a honeycomb tissue tail on this item are numerous, as it gives the turkey an extra lifelike appearance while also providing durability and longevity.
The honeycomb tissue tail is made with high-quality materials that make it incredibly durable, which means you won’t have to worry about any tears or damages even after extended use. Additionally, the 3-D design makes it look more realistic than traditional taxidermy items, allowing for a truly stunning display piece in any room.
Plaxidermy Turkey Taxidermy Made of Aromatic Cedar Lumber
Taxidermy has become a popular form of decorating in many homes across the country. Plaxidermy turkey taxidermy is one of the most unique ways to bring nature into your home and show off your love for the outdoors. The best part about this type of taxidermy is that it is made from aromatic cedar lumber, which provides numerous benefits to homeowners.
Aromatic cedar lumber has been used throughout history as a natural insect repellent and preservative due to its strong scent. This means that you don’t have to worry about any bugs or other pests getting into your home if you opt for plaxidermy turkey taxidermy made with aromatic cedar lumber. Additionally, its strong scent can also help make your home smell great!
Plaxidermy turkey taxidermy is a great way to decorate your home with an easy-to-hang piece. Not only will it add a rustic feel to any room, but the beard plate provides many benefits that can spruce up any space. The wide beard plate offers ample space for hanging your turkey’s beard spurs and adds a unique touch to any wall or shelf. Plus, the deep wood grain patterns provide an eye-catching element that creates visual interest in your home.
The beauty of this turkey taxidermy goes beyond just the awesome look of the wood grain patterns; it lasts for years and years so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy its beauty. With proper care, you can expect your Plaxidermy Turkey Taxidermy decoration to stay looking amazing for decades!
Walnut Hollow Turkey Taxidermy For decoration With Quil Feathers
Turkey taxidermy has been a popular decoration for many years. Now, with the introduction of Walnut Hollow’s turkey taxidermy, you can easily create your own one-of-a-kind masterpiece. It comes complete with quil feathers to add an extra level of realism and beauty to your work of art.
Quil feathers are real turkey feathers that have been treated and curled into the traditional fan shape found on most turkeys. Their unique shape makes them perfect for creating realistic-looking headpieces and tails on turkey taxidermy projects. They also add perspective and depth to projects, as well as a softness that can’t be achieved with other kinds of materials or fabrics.
Walnut Hollow turkey taxidermy has a rustic finish that replicates the look and feel of the barn board. The unique design includes an oversized beard slot which allows it to hang naturally, making it the perfect addition to any home or cabin.
Crafted from hand-selected walnut wood and finished with two 1.25″ screws, this taxidermy mount offers not only a realistic representation of a turkey but also an interesting decor piece for any room. The hanger screws are included for easy installation – so you can display your turkey in no time at all!
For those looking for something special that adds rustic charm to their home, Walnut Hollow turkey taxidermy is sure to be a conversation starter. With its timeless design and robust construction, this taxidermy mount will be enjoyed by generations to come!
Allen Company Turkey Taxidermy With Brass Plated Cover
Allen Company provides a unique and attractive way to decorate your home or business with turkey taxidermy. The company’s taxidermy pieces are crafted from real turkeys and come with a special brass-plated cover that really makes them stand out. This cover not only adds beauty to the piece, but it also has some practical benefits as well.
The brass plating cover is corrosion resistant which helps protect the bird and its feathers from environmental damages such as water, dirt, and dust particles. This feature also extends the life of the piece by protecting it from wear over time due to contact with hands or other surfaces.
Additionally, this protective layer helps keep pests away, as they can’t penetrate through the material easily.
Allen Company turkey taxidermy measures 7 inches wide x 9.5 inches tall and is a great way to preserve your hunting trophies for years to come. The taxidermy pack includes all the components necessary as well as a brass engravable name plate so that you can customize each piece with whatever text you desire. This product is perfect for any hunters or outdoorsmen looking to immortalize their favorite catch and display it in their homes or office.
The brass engravable nameplate offers many benefits when compared to other types of plates – its material is more durable, heavier, and corrosion-resistant than aluminum or plastic alternatives, ensuring that your personalized message will stand the test of time. It also provides a beautiful finish which complements the taxidermy piece perfectly.
Benefits of Having A Turkey Taxidermy
Turkey taxidermy is a great way to preserve a special memory in an interesting and unique way. Taxidermy allows you to capture the beauty of your favorite wild turkey and keep it with you forever. Not only can this be used as home décor, but it also serves as an interesting conversation starter for guests.
Taxidermy turkeys often serve as a reminder of hunting trips past, allowing you to reminisce on the adventure every time you look at them. It’s also possible to attach sentimental items such as notes or photos of the hunt, making it even more meaningful. With turkey taxidermy, you can easily make an impactful statement with its dramatic yet realistic presence in any room.
Furthermore, turkey taxidermies are long-lasting due to their realistic construction that will not deteriorate over time as other home decor items might do.
Why You Should Have Turkey Taxidermy
Turkey taxidermy is an eye-catching piece that adds a touch of the outdoors and a bit of class. With its rich colors, intricate details, and impressive size, it’s sure to be a conversation starter in any room.
Not only is turkey taxidermy aesthetically pleasing but it also has historical significance. This type of decoration was popularized in Europe during the 18th century when hunting for food was still considered an important part of life. Even today, some cultures consider the hunted game to be an honored symbol.
Taxidermy is definitely worth considering as a decorative option for your home or office space. It can offer both beauty and meaningful symbolism that will never go out of style!
FAQs
Learn everything you need to know about the Best Turkey Taxidermy from our FAQs section!
How much does it cost to taxidermy a turkey?
The cost of taxidermy of a turkey can vary depending on the size and complexity of the mount. Generally, a basic turkey mount will cost between $400 and $600. However, more complicated mounts can cost up to $1000 or more.
How do you display turkey feet?
To display turkey feet, start by boiling them in a pot of water for about an hour. Once boiled, carefully remove the skin from the feet and allow them to dry. After drying, you can hang them in a window or on a wall with string or thread. You can also use hot glue to attach them to an object like a board or frame.
What do you do with a taxidermy turkey?
You can use a taxidermy turkey as a unique home decor piece. It can be displayed on a shelf, hung on the wall, or even used as part of a centerpiece. Taxidermy turkeys also make great conversation pieces for guests and can be a fun addition to any room.
How do you display a turkey fan?
To display a turkey fan, you will need to carefully remove it from the bird. Place the fan on a flat surface and gently spread out the feathers with your fingers. You can then use pins or tape to secure the fan in place for display. If desired, you can also mount it on a board or frame.
What is the hardest animal to taxidermy?
The hardest animal to taxidermy is probably the hummingbird. Due to their delicate size and structure, it can be difficult to get the details right. Additionally, they require special materials and techniques that are not used in other types of taxidermy.
Do you pay taxidermists before or after?
It depends on the taxidermist. Generally, payment is due upon completion of the work. You should check with your taxidermist to determine their specific payment policies before beginning the job.
Is Flipping turkey necessary?
Flipping turkey is not necessary. If you are using an oven-safe thermometer, you can cook the turkey without flipping it. This will help ensure that the bird cooks evenly and that all parts of the meat reach the proper temperature. However, if you don’t have a thermometer, flipping the bird halfway through cooking may help promote even cooking.
What is the process of cleaning turkey taxidermy for decoration?
Cleaning a turkey taxidermy for decoration is a fairly simple process. First, use a damp cloth to remove any dirt and dust from the feathers and the surface of the mount. Next, use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment to remove any remaining debris from the feathers. Finally, use a soft brush to lightly brush away any remaining particles. After cleaning, you can then display your turkey taxidermy as desired.
How do you prep a turkey for a full mount?
To prep a turkey for full mount, you’ll first need to carefully skin and preserve the feathers. Then, you’ll need to remove the head and feet, as well as the internal organs. Once that’s done, you’ll want to use a wire or dowel rod to prop up the wings and tail feathers in their natural position. Finally, you’ll need to stuff and sew up any openings with cotton batting or other stuffing material.
Do you salt turkeys when soaking them?
Yes, it is important to salt turkeys when soaking them. Salting helps to tenderize the meat and add flavor. The recommended amount of salt is 1/4 cup per gallon of water. Be sure to use non-iodized salt in order to get the best results. Allow the turkey to soak for at least 8 hours before cooking.
Why do people soak the turkey in water?
Soaking a turkey in water helps to reduce the amount of fat and sodium in the bird. This makes it healthier when cooked. It also helps to keep the meat moist and tender during cooking, resulting in a more flavorful meal. The longer the turkey is soaked, the more flavorful and juicy it will be.
What is the easiest way to clean a turkey?
The easiest way to clean a turkey is to start by removing the neck and giblets from the inside of the cavity. Then, rinse the turkey with cold water, pat it dry with paper towels, and use a sharp knife to remove any excess fat from the skin. Finally, rub salt inside and outside of the bird before roasting.
Can you prep and stuff a turkey the night before?
Yes, you can prep and stuff a turkey the night before. Make sure to refrigerate it overnight and remove it from the fridge about an hour before cooking. When stuffing the turkey, make sure to use room-temperature ingredients. Also, avoid overstuffing the bird as this can cause uneven cooking.
What can I stuff my turkey with to keep it moist?
A classic option is to stuff your turkey with a mixture of bread crumbs, herbs, and butter. You can also try adding diced vegetables like celery and carrots for extra flavor. Additionally, you can use a combination of fruit and nuts or even sausage for a more flavorful stuffing. Finally, make sure to baste your turkey regularly while it cooks to keep it moist.
Summing It Up
Turkey taxidermy is a great way to spruce up any home and make a one-of-a-kind statement. Whether you’re looking for something traditional or modern, there is something out there for everyone. These seven picks of the best turkey taxidermy are perfect for anyone looking to add a unique touch to their home. Consider adding one of them today to your collection and create an unforgettable interior design.
Everything You Need to Know About Dog Taxidermy
You’ve just arrived at your vet’s building. You can hear your heart beating as you walk towards the entrance. You’ve decided to put down your dog but want to keep a little piece of him around forever. You might be wondering, “Can you taxidermy a dog?” And the answer is, depending on your circumstances, you can look into dog taxidermy as an option.
Dog taxidermy is preserving and mounting your dog’s body after death to preserve it for years. You can do this through traditional taxidermy, freeze-dried dog taxidermy or stuffed dog taxidermy (which usually involves synthetic materials). However, before taking on this emotionally-charged task, there are some critical questions that you should consider first:
1. How much does it cost? Taxidermists will typically charge based on size and availability, with smaller animals costing less than larger ones. Prices can range from a few hundred dollars for small taxidermy dogs to thousands of dollars for larger taxidermy dogs.
2. Is it legal? Depending on your location and the type of dog, you may need to get a permit before taking on dog taxidermy. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with local regulations.
3. How long does it take? Traditional dog taxidermy can take several weeks or months, while freeze-drying and stuffing can be done in days or weeks.
4. Can I do it myself? While some people choose to tackle dog taxidermy by themselves, many opt for professional services due to the complicated nature of the process.
5. What if I don’t like the finished product? Unfortunately, dog taxidermy doesn’t always turn out as we hoped. If you need more than the results, look for a reputable dog taxidermist who can offer you a better result.
Dog taxidermy is an emotionally charged experience, but it can also be rewarding as you keep your dog’s memory alive. Before taking on this task, consider all the questions above and research dog taxidermists in your area thoroughly. With careful planning and proper execution, your beloved dog will live on forever! This is our ultimate guide on dog taxidermy. Keep reading.
What is Dog Taxidermy?
Dog taxidermy is preserving an animal’s body using lifelike poses and forms. The goal is to make the animal look as accurate as possible so you can put it on display in a home or office setting. The process involves skinning, stuffing, mounting and customizing the dog’s fur to ensure it looks exactly how it did when your beloved pup was alive.
So, if you were to taxidermy your dog, you could create a posed form of your dog in its favorite position or even recreate the dog’s last moments so you can preserve it forever.
How Does Dog Taxidermy Work?
The taxidermist will start by skinning the dog, including removing all the fur and flesh from the carcass. They then work to preserve the parts being kept for display, such as claws, teeth and other small details. The next step is to stuff the skin with sawdust, cotton or poly-fiber stuffing material so it has a natural form. Then they mount it onto a mannequin base to give it posture and movement before lastly customizing any remaining features like coloration or facial expressions.
How Much Does it Cost to Taxidermy a Dog?
How much a taxidermied dog will cost depends on where you live, your pet’s size, the mount’s complexity and any additional details you want. Generally speaking, taxidermy dog prices could range anywhere from $100-$1000+.
Is Dog Taxidermy Legal?
The legality of dog taxidermy varies from place to place, so it’s best to research your local laws and regulations before taking on the project. In some states or countries, dog taxidermy may be completely illegal, while other places may require you to have a permit to do it legally.
In the United States, dog taxidermy is generally legal, but you should still consult with your local pet authorities, like animal control, before beginning the process.
Can You Do Taxidermy on Your Dog Yourself?
Now, at this point, you might be asking yourself: “Can I taxidermy a dog myself?” The answer is yes, you can. Taxidermy dog kits provide all the materials and instructions needed to do it yourself. However, these can be difficult to find as not many places carry them. Read more about how to taxidermy a dog yourself here.
Generally, this is how to taxidermy a dog:
1 . Skin the dog and prepare it for stuffing. This part can be the most difficult as it requires precision and experience. You must remove the eyes and muscle tissue and carefully preserve the dog’s fur.
2. Stuff the dog, and create a pose. This is where you will need to use materials such as sawdust, cotton or poly-fiber stuffing material to give your dog its desired shape and posture.
3. Mount the dog onto a mannequin base or something similar and customize any remaining features like coloration or facial expressions. For example, if you want the dog to look as it did while alive, add details like eye color or fur texture. This will help give your dog movement and make it look more realistic. Learn more about taxidermy mounts here.
4. Customize any remaining features, like eyes, teeth, tongue, etc., to make the dog look lifelike. For example, for eyes, you can use glass or plastic eyes.
5. Place the dog in an airtight display case and cover it with a protective layer to prevent dust and other debris from settling on your dog’s fur. Avoid direct sunlight and other environmental factors that could damage it over time.
However, it’s important to note that dog taxidermy can be complex if you need more experience or knowledge about the field. Hiring a professional dog taxidermist is best to ensure your pet will look as lifelike as possible when displayed.
Although dog taxidermy is legal, it’s important to remember that it isn’t for everyone. For example, suppose you feel uncomfortable performing dog taxidermy on your dog. In that case, there are plenty of other ways to preserve its memory, such as having photos taken or creating an urn for its ashes.
Ultimately, it would be best to do whatever makes you the most comfortable when honoring your pet’s life in death. Good luck!
Grieving the loss of a pet? Learn how to properly grieve here
Beginner Hobbyist’s Guide: Turkey Mounting
This guide is meant for aspiring turkey mounting hobbyists in need of an overview in this specific area of taxidermy. Each step of the process has its own unique set of principles and intricate techniques that could take years of practice to master. However, this should not deter you from experiencing the fun of preserving your own hard earned trophy. Like any professional turkey taxidermist out there, one always needs to start from learning the basics.
Turkey mounting is one of the many areas you can explore in the field of taxidermy as a hobby. More than just hunting, harvesting, and preserving physical evidence of your glorious hunt, turkey mounting is an art. There are several ways to mount a turkey and the list of possibilities goes on as modern taxidermy practices continue to improve. Furthermore, the learning curve required to be successful at the hobby is not an uphill battle.
The process of mounting your turkey from harvest to the actual mounting is simpler than you might think. If you are seriously interested in taking the turkey mounting as a hobby, you are fortunate to live in an age where modern convenience has made the process simple. Learning how to mount your turkeys is a rewarding experience.
Unlike living during Victorian or Edwardian era, access to information about quality mounting techniques is no longer a difficult task. Convenient access to the internet for beginning hobbyists to information can help their outputs achieve commercial quality. Yes, it is feasible to tap into a niche market of turkey enthusiasts but that is another story.
The General Steps of Turkey Mounting:
1. Tools for the Hunt
Your Gun
You would need a bird hunting rifle to catch your first gobbler. While that fact is a no brainer, you have to be meticulous about the guns you use. The pellets that come out of your gun must be tight enough at reasonable distances. You would not want a turkey with several holes especially on specific parts of the body you wanted to preserve. That kind of turkey makes it a difficult specimen to clean or even be worth preserving.
You need to practice your aim and get used to the gun you would be working with. Landing a critical headshot the first time is crucial. The critical hit prevents the gobbler from suffering further. It also prevents it from struggling on the ground. You do not want its feathers soaked in blood, dipped in mud, or ruffled. These events add to the difficulty of cleaning and loss of aesthetic value of the specimen.
Your Knife
Maybe you managed to land a good shot and upon approach to the dying creature, you see it still living and possibly still strong enough to ruin its feathers. You can wait it out, end it with another shot, or cut through its neck.
Turkeys, like other birds, do not possess much blood on them. Having too much blood just adds to their weight and makes it difficult for flight. You can expect your incisions made would be less bloody. A sharp knife would be a good tool to make the process cleaner. Whatever method works for you, just make sure you keep the parts you intend to preserve clean.
The Cooler
The size of the container should be proportionate to the gobbler you expect to nab. At least, just big enough to make sure that no tail feathers get disturbed when you place the whole turkey. Preserving the turkey’s body after death is your next priority. A dead body encourages bacteria and fungi to grow and hasten decomposition.
You could also attempt a field dressing. This process saves you time from separating the meat for food and parts you intend to preserve. However, field dressing requires practice and should not be attempted when unsure, especially when you only have your precious prize to work with. Start developing your field dressing skills with turkeys not intended for mounting until you are confident enough to apply it to your future prizes.
2. Selection of Specimen Parts
There are several ways to mount a turkey but these can depend on what part you intend to mount. Selecting the parts you intend to preserve can influence your decision making during the hunt. As an example, selecting only the spurs for preservation removes your concern for the feathers getting dirtied.
Furthermore, your cleaning efforts will also be influenced by the parts you intend to preserve. Spurs are far easier to clean and handle than feathers. On the other hand, preserving the feathers offers more aesthetic appeal as a trophy than spurs.
Tail feathers, spurs, beard, and capes can be mounted singly or in combination and this all depends on your preference. You could even mount a whole turkey. However, handling each parts entails different caring requirements which are crucial for the mounting process to be a success.
So before you start hunting, best to have an idea on what part you intend to save.
3. Care of Specimen
The level of care needed to mount the specimen can depend on the parts opted to save. The process starts from the moment you took hold of the specimen. Tail feathers require gentle manipulation so as not to disrupt their natural aesthetic appearance.
Examine the turkey’s body and remove anything that could be classified as dirt or debris. Have a toilet paper ready to remove possible poop coming out of the creature’s anus. The turkey’s sphincter will relax upon death and any fecal matter formed will go out. It is important to maintain the specimen in good condition rather than create more reasons to clean it.
Store the specimen in a cool place when not in used. Never leave your cooler open with a dead turkey in it, opportunistic scavengers like dermestid beetles and flies can be attracted the scent of death. Infestations could be difficult to deal with but not impossible to resolve. However, preventing opportunities for infestations to happen is a lot more easier than repairing the damages these pest could do.
Frequent unnecessary handling of the specimen can increase the chances of getting the parts you wanted to save ruined. As a rule, only handle it when it is a necessary part of the mounting process.
4. Preparation and Skinning
This is one of the most laborious parts of the process. Poorly skinned specimens when mounted do not last long on display. Forgetting or missing out pieces of muscle or fat tissue during skinning of the specimen part can invite rapid decomposition. Be meticulous when taking out muscle or fat tissues as small pieces of flesh are enough to ruin the entire specimen.
The best way to avoid paying for frequent restorations on your mounted turkey is having it cleaned, skinned, and dried right the first time.
Tail Feathers
Make sure you cut out the flesh and bony parts near the bases of the fan just above the anus. Slowly remove muscles and fat until you work your way towards the bases quill feathers. Use a small sharp knife for the intricate work and for better control. Scalpels, a small curved knife, and metal brush are one of the best tools for the job.
Locating the tail bone and getting a feel on how the quills are arranged can guide you where to cut. Taking out the tail bone fast can result to large quills detaching.
The small curved knives and scalpels are for taking out large to medium sized fleshy parts from the specimen. This gives users more control with the force they need to manipulate both specimen and tool. On the other hand, metal wire brushes are used to take out the fleshy parts that your knives or scalpels could not reach.
Beards
Locate it on the turkey and pluck it as a single unit gently from the base. Take out the excess skin tissue with a knife. Do this after you placed the body for a few hours in the cooler. Taking out the beard fresh from death can make the bundle fall apart as body temperature has not dissipated.
Spurs
There are several ways to extract the part from the specimen. You can saw your way through the bones or use plies to take it out. The turkey’s spurs are only thick keratinized sheaths covering its bones. The method of extracting the spurs will depend on how you intend to use the spurs. For spurs taken out by plies, you can fill in the hollow portion with epoxy.
Cape
Extracting the whole unit takes much more work due to its size and number of feathers that could be damaged when extraction is done poorly. Make an incision from the breast mid-line and start separate the skin from the inner muscles. The first incision can reach up to the neck and to the bottom. Skin the creature and perform meticulous separation of tissues. Best to see a separate guide for this part due to the associated intricacies involved.
When mounting it as a whole turkey, determine what form the final product would assume. A simple standing position is simpler to accomplish compared to mounting it in a strutting position. Mounting a whole turkey does not necessarily mean having all of its parts intact. There are artificial turkey parts you can customized for the finished product.
5. Dry Preservation
The success of the drying process is proportional to the lifespan of your mount. The presence of moisture encourages growth of microorganisms responsible for decomposition. Borax serves as a drying agent often recommended by taxidermists. It can absorb moisture when in contact with moist areas in your specimen. De-greasing solutions come help remove most unwanted contaminants from the specimen.
De-greasing solutions help ensure you take out all the oils, dissolve tissues, dirt and debris from the specimen part. With a bucket of cold water and dish washing soap, dip and soak the mechanically cleaned portion of the specimen for 15 to 60 minutes. For tail feathers, use a rubber band to keep the rest of the feather in order. Coleman CampFuel is an example of a de-greasing solution you can work with.
Rinse the specimen until the de-greasing solution is removed. The length of soaking and degreasing solutions recommended can vary from experienced turkey taxidermist.
Borax’s chemical name is known as Sodium tetraborate. It is the dehydrated form of boric acid used in various industrial applications. Other than absorbing moisture, it also contains anti-fungal activity and insecticidal properties. You can order this cheap multipurpose cleaner from Amazon from brands like 20 Mule Team Detergent Booster.
If you are working with a specimen that has a lot of dirt and blood, washing it with dish washing soap and water can be done to remedy. Make sure gentle manipulation is observed during the process. You can reposition the tail feathers for straightening. Lastly, blow dry using low heat before applying borax.
Dry your specimen for at least 2 weeks before mounting. Store the specimen in a cold and dry area. Avoid exposing it on high humidity, sunlight, and damp areas as these can contribute to the degradation. Check on the specimen every now and then to see any infestation.
A poorly dried specimen results from a lack of attention to detail. When a small space of fleshy part does not come in contact with a drying agent, bacterial growth can result and a distinct odor could form that attracts unwanted pests.
Once cockroaches, dermestid beetles, or flies start to do their work on your specimen, reparation would be difficult. Worse, restoration will not bring back the old aesthetic appeal. Attracting unwanted pests can happen all throughout the process. It starts from the moment you secured the dead turkey up to post mounting.
Dry the legs in the freezer or cool environment to prevent a white or silver scaling on the surface. Legs dried on hot or humid environments allow separation of scales from tissue beneath prominent.
6. Actual Mounting
The actual mounting process can depend on what turkey part you are working with. Fan mounting is often practiced when working with tail feathers. It is a simple method and popular among most turkey enthusiasts. The method is not as complicated as cape mounting or whole turkey mounting.
Fan Mounting
For fan mounting, start by locating the base of the quills again. On top of a sheet of cardboard box, fan out the tail feathers. Secure the part with push pins to let it remain assuming a fanning position. Remove the excess Borax with a brush and apply Bondo.
Bondo is a car body putty mixture you can apply at the base of the quills to secure a fanning position. Spread a layer of one fourth to one half inch of Bondo over the base of the quills. Once it hardens, you can remove the push pins. Set it aside for a few days (a week at most).
Commercial mounting boards are available for finishing your fan mounting. Once the bondo hardens at the base of the quills, you drill in a screw and washer over the mounting board. Usually, another piece of plaque is available for commercial mounting boards to hide the screw and washer. A hole for the turkey’s beard often available along with fan mounting boards.
Legs and Spur Display
After drying the legs using Borax for 2 weeks, you can position both legs on top a mounting board. Use superglue to secure it in position. Turkey legs contain less muscle tissue and less fleshy in general. This type of display attracts less infestation and makes it easy to maintain during cleaning.
Coloring the legs with spray paint is usually not advisable, especially for beginners. Trying to match or enhance the color of the real thing can counter-productively make it more artificial in the process. Depending on your preference, non-glossy coatings are usually enough to exemplify natural color of the specimen.
Whole Body Mount
Considered more tedious to accomplish compared to other turkey mounts. However, this one offers a more lively presentation of the achievement compared to the rest. Whole body mounting can be done through the same principles mentioned. You would entertain the use of artificial body parts. Find out more about body mounting from Todd Triplett’s book “The Complete Guide to Turkey Taxidermy: How to Prepare Fans, Beards and Body Mounts”.
7. Maintenance
Keeping your mount in good condition can make it last for decades. Always keep an eye out for possible infestations and other conditions that can cause degradation:
Display the mount in an area not exposed to direct sunlight.
Direct sunlight over time can contribute to your mount’s feathers being bleached. Living birds require sunlight exposure to produce necessary vitamins for metabolism. This keeps their feathers displaying distinct color pigments and themselves healthy. However, upon death, the process stops and the saturation of colors in the feather will depend on environmental factors.
Further exposure to sunlight only degrades the pigments; this makes the feather prone to sun bleaching from the UV rays.
Storing in a damp area.
Damp areas encourage fungal growth. When accompanied by low temperatures and darkness, mold growth becomes rapid and can ruin your mount. Mold growth in your mouth may be difficult to detect early because the damage it does runs slowly. Fungal growth would usually favor internal areas of the specimen which prolongs its stealthy growth.
By the time you can visually appreciate the impact of mold growth, the damage may already be extensive causing more difficulty for restoration work. Worse, the mount is beyond salvation.
Other Products That Contribute to a Good Mount:
Habitat Bases
Habitat Bases are not a mandatory requirement when mounting your trophies. But they do add to the overall aesthetic impact of the set, especially when you managed to mount a strutting turkey in a picture perfect background.
Habitat bases for turkey mounts can add diversity to your collection. You could opt for commercial bases usually sold online through Amazon or eBay. You could also create the bases yourself, though the process may also take another set of learning curves. Replicating the scenery may take a bit more of your time and effort but nothing that is worth it comes easy anyway.
The materials needed can come from a collection of wood, stones, and dirt. You may also need to paint plants in the composition. There is no limit to how much you want to invest in recreating that natural scenery.
Artificial Head, Body and Limbs
Whole turkey mounts would be difficult to make without these artificial parts. Preserving turkey heads, as an example, are more difficult to do than just opting for an artificial head. Artificial parts make take out some of the natural feel but these parts save you more time.
Artificial heads and limbs offer the taxidermist more creative options to customize their turkey mounts. These parts are available for personalized coloring and can potentially enhance the entire set. However, coloring the parts to match the natural counterpart is not an easy task. Beginner taxidermist often make the common mistake of coloring the parts too well that it no longer looks natural when viewed together as a whole.
But you can minimize such problems by taking a picture of the turkey during the hunt. This provides you the basis on color choice and other details to try out.
Limitations of Turkey Mounting
Producing better mounts requires years of dedication and practice for the art. The amount of time you invested in refining your turkey taxidermy skills is proportionate to the quality of your output. You may have to skin countless turkeys before you could achieve commercial levels.
As a turkey taxidermist, there are several ways to mount your specimens and imagination is often your limit. This guide only covers the basic principles of turkey mounting. There are many more principles and techniques you have to figure out for yourself. Turkey taxidermy is an applied art that could only be mastered through hands on experience.
Good luck on your first turkey!
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